Barack Obama - Hillary Clinton - USA

'Obama must be our president': Hillary Clinton

Wednesday 27 August 2008

The defeated presidential candidate urged Democrats to support Barack Obama, calling herself his "proud supporter". She asked them to "unite ... with a single purpose," at the party's convention in Denver.

Special Report Democrats gather to endorse Obama

Wednesday 27 August 2008

By AFP (text)

Diary from Denver - Read the FRANCE 24 team's collective blog

FRANCE 24 Observers plug into the buzz at the Democratic Convention – click here for more

Hillary Clinton on Tuesday called on Democrats to unite as one party behind White House nominee Barack Obama, saying that despite an acrimonious primary duel they were on the "same team."

"Whether you voted for me, or voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose," said Clinton, who got a euphoric welcome at her prime-time speech at the Democratic National Convention.

"We are on the same team, and none of us can sit on the sidelines," said Clinton in an emotional final act in a presidential bid that reached for history but was thwarted by the man who will become America's first black presidential nominee.

Clinton vowed "this is a fight for the future. And it is a fight we must win together," as a raucous crowd in the 18,000 capacity arena chanted "Hillary" and held up white signs bearing a stylized version of her signature.

The former first lady said she had not spent the past "35 years in the trenches" to suffer more "failed leadership" from Republicans.

"No way, no how, no McCain," she said, referring to Republican White House candidate John McCain.

"Barack Obama is my candidate, and he must be our president."

The New York senator's speech was the first of a one-two punch from the Clintons -- former president Bill Clinton will address the convention on Wednesday -- after fighting a barely disguised feud with the Obama campaign.

Hillary Clinton's 18 million primary voters are vital to Obama, as his White House race with McCain has tightened to a dead heat, and the rivals are slugging out a desperate battle for swing states like Ohio.

New York Senator Hillary Clinton acknowledges a 3-minute ovation during at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, August 26. AFP

The former first lady's speech was a bittersweet moment, as she had hoped the Democratic National Convention in Denver would be the scene of her own coronation, as the first woman presidential nominee in US history.

On Wednesday, Clinton's name will be placed alongside Obama's in the official nominating ballot in an attempt to placate her supporters, many of whom believe she was deprived of the nomination unfairly.

Obama hopes to use Clinton's appearance to wrench the focus onto the economic worries rattling many Americans, including her legions of blue-collar supporters who the party needs to beat Republican John McCain.

But more than 1,000 Clinton supporters did not get the message, marching through Denver to vent their anger at the former first lady's treatment.

Andrea Biggs, 19, said she could not make up her mind who to vote for.

"I want to be able to forgive Barack Obama, but what happened to Hillary bugs me," she said.

In Missouri, on the day before he rolls into the convention to be anointed the first black presidential nominee, Obama lashed Republican rival John McCain and tied him to unpopular President George W. Bush.

"Just remember this: over the last eight years, you've been falling behind," he told American Airlines maintenance workers in a giant hangar.

"Over the last eight years, your lives are less secure," he said, citing rising numbers of people lacking health insurance, or seeing their homes seized during a mortgage crunch, or being unable to save.

Authorities meanwhile said they had found no evidence of a plot to assassinate Obama following the arrest of three men and seizure of a haul of weapons on Sunday.

US Attorney Troy Eid said officials were satisfied that the arrested men were all drug abusers who did not pose a credible threat to Obama.

"It is a very serious federal crime to threaten a presidential candidate. In this case, however, there is insufficient evidence at this time to indicate a true threat, plot or conspiracy against Senator Obama."

The men were arrested after a traffic stop uncovered wigs, two hunting rifles, body armor and drug-making equipment Sunday.

But the incident underlined fears for the safety of Obama, who was under Secret Service protection earlier than any presidential candidate in history.

Special Report on Democrats gather to endorse Obama

Special Report on the race to the White House

Barack Obama - Hillary Clinton - USA

[23] reactions :

30/09/2008 15:37:23 Alert a moderator

Obama

By Myron - Newprot NH

I will be voting for Obama, I like his Ideas on things, and McCain sucks as a person.
10/09/2008 17:15:50 Alert a moderator

american elections

By Anonyme -

NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CANDIDATES
09/09/2008 20:16:09 Alert a moderator

elections americaines

By Anonyme -

AUCUNE DIFFERENCE ENTRE LES DEUX CANDIDATS QUI REPRESENTENT TOUS LES DEUX LA MENTALITE AMERICAINE (POUR NE PAS DIRE CROYANCE): GLOBALE HEGEMONIE ET SUPERIORITE DU PEUPLE AMERICAIN
03/09/2008 21:42:31 Alert a moderator

Obama

By Daniela - Johannesburg

the point is not who but the one that delivers and change sthe image of the USA, please no more interventions for profiteering etc into Irak, Afghanistan etc. If they intervene it should be for peace.
History repeats itself and will we ever learn?
03/09/2008 20:05:07 Alert a moderator

OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT

By JOHN,ENGLAND - BRIGHTON

EIGHT YEARS OF BUSH IS MORE THAN EHOUGH AND McCAIN PROMISES MORE OF THE SAME AND WHAT AN AWFUL CHOICE OF RUNNING MATE,MS PAULIN HAS A LOT OF ANSWERING TO DO!
03/09/2008 19:51:13 Alert a moderator

President Elect

By Anonyme -

No one in his/her right mind would choose McCain. I am insulted as a woman that he picked Palin to be his VP pick...what a desperate move. I wholeheartedly support Obama and his movement for change. Its time America had a change...we deserve a vision that all Americans can be proud of. McCain has already got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel!
03/09/2008 17:40:33 Alert a moderator

Election

By Anonyme - USA

We do not have good choices from either party however, a vote for Mc Cain is just 4 more years of the Bush tactics.The country can't withstand 4 more years of the same
03/09/2008 15:33:40 Alert a moderator

FRANCE 24

By distantwings4747 - USA-LEESBURG, FL.

THIS WHOLE INTERNATIONAL, IS A SHAM. WE SENT OUR HELP, TROOPS AND USD TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES IN TROUBLE. AMERICAN DOLLARS NEED TO STAY AT HOME WHERE CHARITY BEGIN. HEALTHCARE, SOCIAL SECUIRTY, MEDICARE AND THE ECONOMY BROKEN

SO WHY NOT SHORE US UP AND CONTINUE TO MAKE US THE STRONGEST COOUNTRY IN THE UIVERSE.

I AM APPALLED AT OUR GOVERNMENT. MACCAIN IS NOT THE ANSWER. BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE OBAMA IS.

PJ
03/09/2008 13:33:00 Alert a moderator

Obama vs. McCain

By Lori Drohan - United States/New Jersey

I fully believe that McCain can not help this country to make positive changes or work through the many issues facing us. He does not understand our economic or social issues. Obama has a much better grasp on human rights, every day economics and his eloquent speeches should not be underestimated. We need someone to help us regain respect in the world. After the ignorance and insensitivity of Bush we can not afford another ineffectual leader. Obama is a leader who will bring about real change.
03/09/2008 13:12:57 Alert a moderator

John McCain for President

By Anonyme - New Jersey, United states

John McCain has the experience to lead and the personal and political history to back it up.
Obama is a two year Senator with never being out of the USA until his tour of Europe last Summer.
John McCain has challenged the Washington political circle numerous times during his career. He has always put the people and the USA first in his beliefs as his record shows. His service to our country in both wartime and supporting the US in his present position in politics is impeccable.
There is no one better to lead than a proven leader with charactor and universal experience than John McCain.
03/09/2008 11:45:51 Alert a moderator

McCain vs Obama

By Sharon - USA, Kingsland

Say what you want about the right, Obama does not have a day's worth of leadership under his belt, he gives a great speech but its doubtful he will be a good leader. He hates his white side so bad he never associates with it. McCain has a great deal of leadership and is anxious to leave the Bush admin behind given his opposition to their politics. Our country and our world need more conservatism not liberalism, we need to get back to the basics and still advance in technology on all levels without sacrificing human life before it is born. Obama does not salute our flag McCain believes in our flag and salutes it with honor. I will be voting McCain and Palin in November because I believe in our constitution, our first amendment rights, God above all and smaller government. I believe all Americans should be as profitable as they want as long as it's done legally. McCain and Palin will uphold those beliefs.
03/09/2008 10:00:20 Alert a moderator

us presidential candidates

By colin rees - swansea glamorganshire

The wheel, penicillin,the steam engine ,the telephone, etc etc. were discovered by caucasians. I cannot think of one discovery by a ulotrichan. Maybe, McCain will be the better US president, as he possesses the right genetic structure.I am not a racist, but I simply point out the facts!!
03/09/2008 09:41:11 Alert a moderator

McCain or Obama

By Anonyme - USA

Easy decision-the only one that has the background and experience for the job-McCain!
30/08/2008 11:44:07 Alert a moderator

obama better

By Anonymehassan g. pella - nigeria/kaduna

i have closely followed your coverage of the american presidential campaign and arrived at the conclussion that obama is a better option for america, this is because there is need for america to look inwards to solve her internal problems like education, econony, housing etc and improve its relations with the outside world. at this moment /what america needs is more friends not more enemies.,
29/08/2008 18:53:14 Alert a moderator

Ring wing Scare tactics

By Anonyme - Naples, Florida

Its interesting reading some of the comments, as usual, the only real thing left for the right wing to hold on to is their scare tactics, "the end of the world" "obama bin ladin"- its laughable. Thankfully it seems apparent that their right wing ideology of hatred and fear is dying, just like the other political and ideological extreme, communism.
29/08/2008 13:56:50 Alert a moderator

Change is coming

By XYZ - Lebanon

The only constant thing in life is change. I think this election is already a change in itself. An Afro-American as candidate to the U.S Democratic party! I tell you, if and when Obama wins this election (as it seems inevitable) the world will never be the same again. Hopefully, it will be for good, as more and more people will be inspired to do unimaginable things. Minorities will rise to become majorities and vice versa. As any WASP in America, I would fear this election but for the greater good, this election will be a beginning like no other.
29/08/2008 09:40:49 Alert a moderator

Obama is the only logical choice.

By John C. - Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

As most of the world has already figured out, almost without exception, Republicans are arrogant, agressive, condescending and just plain mean spirited. They are desparate to hold on to their power but they have nothing left to run on, so they have taken the low road and have resorted to personal attacks. The "Obama bin Laden" comment from the anonymous poster from Chicago is an example of that. (Obama is NOT a Muslim, but so what if he is? There are well over a billion perfectly decent Muslims.) When Obama gets elected the entire world will be SO much better off. The Republican's fear tactics aren't going to work this time.
29/08/2008 08:07:58 Alert a moderator

Barak Obama

By Anonyme - Ethiopia

In my view, most elections promises are the major tools to win voters, however, we don't see them living up to their promisses. Talking the talk is easy, but walking the talk is very hard. If Barak is up to the task and meant what he said and address those critical issues, he can become a great President
28/08/2008 17:46:59 Alert a moderator

testing

By Ossi -

testing
28/08/2008 10:14:36 Alert a moderator

"Politics has taken on a new life on the Internet"

By Anonymous -

Re: Former Senator George Allen's campaign slip-up

Correction:
For the sake of being fair, Allen uttered an arguably "racial slur."
28/08/2008 10:09:19 Alert a moderator

common sense

By dave jones - auckland

It is really great to see a level headed canditate get the nomination. I know the American people have previously re-elected a president hell bent on destabilsing the world, (maybe it is a "dated" electoral system which is to blame for this), but I hope this time common sense will prevail and the American people will make the right choice, and vote for Obama. No more right wing war lords please!!!!!!
27/08/2008 18:21:06 Alert a moderator

Useless press.

By Anonyme - USA/chicago

PLEASE!!! Stop the obama bin laden / hillary clinton MADNESS!!! I read france24 because I want to be informed of what is happening around the world. NOT what the stupid american press bombards the USA EVERYDAY with. There are more newsworthy stories other than the demagogues in USA. Just because the lazy american press publish only obama bin laden/clinton, France 24 does not have to do the same.

Sincerely,

R Mena.
25/08/2008 07:46:40 Alert a moderator

On the streets of Denver

By Sonarweb - Denver

Denver - the end of the world? www.sonarwebtv.com